Renowned singer and actor Atif Aslam, a prominent figure in the Pakistani entertainment industry, has clarified a statement circulating on social media that he allegedly refused to perform in Saudi Arabia due to the proximity of religious sites. The singer addressed the claim after it gained widespread attention and praise from fans who admired his supposed decision to avoid performing near holy places.
The original statement, which went viral, claimed that Atif had said, “My heart does not accept performing songs near holy places.” This was widely shared by media outlets and artists, sparking admiration from fans. However, Atif quickly debunked the claim, stating that he never made such a statement. In an interview with journalist Maliha Rehman, Atif expressed his surprise at the false attribution, emphasizing the need for the media and the artist community to verify statements before reporting them. “It is funny and strange that statements I have never made are connected with me,” he said, adding that his band had previously performed in Riyadh.
“Hello my friends, I’m happy to tell you that i will be performing in Saudi Arabia for the first time on Friday October 25 2019 in Riyadh at the international stage during the Riyadh Season. Tickets available at https://t.co/knRzee8DAu – see you there!”#atifaslam #Riyadh #KSA pic.twitter.com/eENnGjV6po
— Atif Aslam (@itsaadee) October 23, 2019
Maliha Rehman also shared the clarification, noting that Atif and his band had performed in Riyadh before, dispelling the viral claim. Despite the clarification, some social media users criticized the singer for allegedly not respecting religious sentiments. One user remarked, “If someone can sing songs with objectionable language, performing in Saudi Arabia shouldn’t be a big deal.”
Adding to the controversy, an old video surfaced from 2019 in which Atif Aslam excitedly announced his Riyadh concert, further fueling the debate. Atif, a household name across South Asia, is known for hits like “Pehli Nazar Mein” and “Taajdar-e-Haram,” and has garnered a massive following for his contributions to the music industry.
